:Age Of Obsession:
Sheldon stood in his office without really looking at his white boards. Leslie Winkle's words kept running through his mind. Was she correct? Was Penny's obsession with on-line gaming indicative of sexual frustration? If so, was he willing to do something about it?
Sheldon sighed and slumped down into his chair. He knew what his friends thought of him. For 9 years he had avoided women and relationships. His one and only attempt at romance had ended very badly. Greta had been 18, beautiful and eager to rebel against her strict home life. He had been 16, awkward and eager to experience all the pleasures his hormones promised.
He had given up his virginity on the narrow bed of his dorm room. His second sexual encounter was in the back of her mom's Impala. The third was interrupted by her ex, who proceeded to beat the hell out of him. Thus ended his one and only relationship.
Sheldon thought about Penny. She was his friend. She was kind. She never laughed at him. She even defended him and took care of him when he was ill. Now she needed taking care of. Sheldon sighed and stood up. He retrieved his bus pants from his closet and slipped them on. He sent Leonard an email explaining that he had to leave early for reasons of hygiene.
He had used that excuse once before. That had been the day a grad student showed up for a consultation very hung over and proceeded to throw up on his desk. He picked up his messenger bag and left the office. If the bus was on time he would be home by 12:30 and Penny's obsession with on-line gaming would soon be a thing of the past.
Leonard smoothed his unruly curls nervously and knocked on Penny's door. He kept replaying Leslie's words in his head. This was his chance to finally make some real headway with Penny. Sheldon wasn't home, having left work earlier. He had probably gone to the nearest hospital for dozens of medical tests. Thank goodness for mysophobia! Leonard smirked to himself.
Penny's door opened and the speech he had prepared died on Leonard's tongue. He slowly looked Sheldon over, noting the tousled hair, swollen lips, sweaty skin, and (with the exception of Penny's ruffled pink silk robe) complete lack of clothing.
"Leonard, Penny is in the shower and unable to come to the door."
Leonard felt an icy chill slide down his spine. "Want…" Leonard cleared his throat loudly. "Want to catch me up?"
Sheldno looked over his shoulder with a mix of surprise and delight. "Penny is over her obsession with on-line gaming, I believe. However, I may have inadvertently awakened a different addiction in her."
Leonard winced as a low pitched whine slipped from between his lips. "Oh?"
Penny's voice floated from the back of the apartment. "Sheldon? Come wash my back?"
A gleam of lust made Sheldon's blue eyes darken. "Of course, Penny. I'll be right there!"
Leonard opened his mouth, but Sheldon shut the door before he could say anything. Slowly Leonard walked across the hall and entered his home. He slumped on the couch, his head lolling back. "I just can't catch a break!" he whined to himself.